Trane Studio is quite a trip. From the outside, one can easily surmise that it's a restaurant/bar of sorts - not exactly nondescript, but not quite eye-catching - yet once indoors, I am hit with an energy so electric, so overwhelming that I was almost uncomfortable. I had walked straight into the middle of a trumpet solo.
The shocking introduction aside, Trane Studio is a gem. Though its exterior is positively vanilla compared to the show within, the interior space is a wonderful one - large, with an exposed brick wall and carved ceilings - and decorated simply, with black-and-white portraits of famous jazz musicians. The furniture is mismatched and worn, but seating is ample and comfortable.
Having endured plenty of nights that have piqued that claustrophobe in me, the openness of the place is its most obvious appeal. There's a timeless and modern look and feel to it - the era, even the city it recalls is difficult to pinpoint. This is not a Toronto I'm familiar with, and good for it.
Despite being named after jazz great John Coltrane, Trane Studio has a sign out front that proclaims the space an "art bar" rather than a jazz one, which makes sense once one takes a look at its event schedule. Monologue nights for aspiring actors occur at least once a month, and there are twice-monthly "acoustic indie" open mic nights.
A strong sense of community and appreciation certainly comes across in the obvious intimacy between the staff, patrons and performers. Try as you might to ignore the ongoings of the stage, the live acts are positively spellbinding in their energy. The alcohol flows freely and the menu is fruitful, but Trane Studio is definitely more a venue than restaurant or bar. That isn't to say its charisma is dependent solely on its performers, however. There's a mellow enthusiasm even without an occupied stage.
Trane Studio is not a place to get rip-roaringly drunk and raucous, but it's certainly exciting in its own way. The variety in its shows promises a different type of crowd nightly, and the energy of the performers is contagious. It's worth a repeat visit just to see how much it differs depending on who's there.
Additional Details
- Beers on Tap:
- Steamwhistle, Alexander Keith’s
- Signature Drink:
- Bar Snacks:
- Jamaican-theme. Kitchen closes at 10pm
- Patio:
- No
- Music/Genre:
- Predominantly jazz and blues. Some acoustic or indie rock
- Live Music:
- Yes
- Who Goes There:
- An older crowd, mostly music or art enthusiasts
- Hours:
- Depends on its event schedule, but typically from 6:30-1:00am
Discussion
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I would like to know about your poetry reading. As I understand it, you hold these events. Further, if you do, who would I contact and also to read some of my work to see if it would be acceptable. Thank you.
Alex
A Bad Food & Even worse Customer Service
While out to dinner this weekend, my husband, some friends and I had the WORST customer service experience and an even worse food experience. I thought I would share it with the blog community as a means to help learn what your staff & Management should not do when a customer/client is dissatisfied.
We went to dinner at a small, locally owned restaurant called Trane Studio. We heard it was a nice jazz lounge, but none of us had yet been to. The service was off to a rocky start as someone who claimed to be the Owner took quite awhile to get to us. But we tried to give him the benefit of the doubt.
The salads arrived and they were disappointing, to say the least. But we trudged on. By the time we finished the salads we all had empty drinks. The “owner” did not come by to give us refills, while another waitress walked right past our table, without even acknowledging the need to check on us.
The entrees arrived. I had ordered a chicken dish, my husband ordered the duck (which was my second choice so we intended to share). Unfortunately, the entrees that we were served did not meet normal food standards, was very cold and was extremely overpriced.
When the owner came with our bill, and we saw the total, I mentioned to him that I was actually quite disappointed with my meal and did not feel it was worth the price we would be paying. I asked him if anything could be done. I honestly wasn’t looking for my entire entree to be comped, but maybe some sort of gesture that said “we’re sorry you were disappointed, how can we make it up to you?” That is not what we received.
The owner returned and said he could do nothing to help me because I ate 2/3 of my meal. He did not return to our table.
Since our customer service was cut, we went to the Bartender to take care of our bill. This is not good management or good customer service by any means.
I worked in food service for years and I know what is expected for good customer service, especially from a Owner. Placing blame and blowing me off was not it.
First, you need to be available for the customer. At least give them an opportunity to explain the problem. Though there may be nothing you can do for them (which is highly doubtful in the first place), you can at least hear them out so that, in the future, you can try to avoid the problem.
Don’t blow them off as this Owner did to me. I have never known any Owner at any place I’ve worked (or eaten) to not immediately run to a customer’s table when there is a complaint.
Because the last thing you want is; for the customer to leave unhappy or, in our case, to never come back again.
The food sucks but you ate more than 2/3rds... Price is on the menu, no surprises..
This is actually in Seaton Village, not the Annex.
Never tried the food, but they bring some awesome musicians here once in a while. The atmosphere is just fantastic. Katlyn, I suggest you not stray more than 200m from Bay/Cumberland for the kind of appetite you have.
Maybe you should have thrown the remaining 1/3 on the floor to teach them a little lesson about customer relations.
Amazing venue, great music and vibe... terrible food. If they fixed that then this would be the top jazz establishment in t.o. Hopefully they'll reassess and approach their food as wonderfully as they do their music.
it. . . and hey I can still remember which movie I put in the VCR. . .yeah (VCR). . .it has been that long! Although, I alwyas found it far more effective to just invite as many people as possible back to my place for an after hours party. . .